The Father Effect is real

Fathers need to be involved with their children. This is true during marriages and after divorce. It is clear from research that having a father figure in their life can help a child in numerous ways. It is in their best interests to get time with their father.

As one expert put it: “When fathers are actively involved with their children, children do better.”

That statement, while compelling, perhaps does not go far enough. How exactly do children do better? What type of impact does a father have? When discussing the “Father Effect,” researchers have found some of the following differences:

• If the father is engaged in the child’s life, the child has lower odds of dropping out of school. These children do better in their classes, graduate at a higher rate and have more academic success.
• The child is less likely to end up behind bars. Jail time for children with active father figures is lower and they are more likely to avoid criminal activity entirely.
• Children also avoid high-risk behaviors. One that researchers pinpointed was having sex at an early age, but it extends beyond that.
• When these children grow up, the odds that they will have stable relationships increase. They are also more likely to have successful careers that offer them a higher level of pay.
• Even by the time they turn three years old, researchers have found that children with involved fathers have fewer psychological issues and higher IQ scores.

It’s simple: Children need their fathers. As a result, it’s critical that fathers know their legal rights, especially after divorce or when they are not married to the child’s mother.